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Times present themselves when the same-old monotonous days of your life become extremely tedious. You’re looped in a continuous funk. Drearily you think, “I can’t take much more of this.” Wondering to yourself, “How will I survive?” Each humdrum day runs into the next. I am neck-deep into that feeling right now.

Here at Sunshine Terrace Rest Home, they excel at keeping to a schedule. Meals at the same time, meds at the same time, everything at the same time! They do offer activities, but the framework is pretty simple, catering to the predominant population. I am so past that. Last time I attended, I ended up babysitting one of the residents. (Glad I could help!) My day is filled with TV, iPad, therapy, eating, and showering. Rinse and repeat. (Pun intended.) Darin does give me a jailbreak occasionally. We get in the car and purchase a Woot Woot or Dracula (my favorite drinks,) and wander for a drive, or do needed grocery shopping with those driving carts. (Not the greatest, but it’s got to be done.) I am getting out! (So that’s good.)

But… the next morning it starts all over again. Do you ever feel this way? I know you do. It feels like an insane copy machine gone wild. (Or like you are in Groundhog Day, the movie.)

The question is: What is the solution? Well, a vacation is the obvious choice. But only a ‘lucky few’ can actually get away. If you’re one of the ‘lucky few,’ good-on-ya! (An Australia congratulation.)

The next answer would be celebrating with an upcoming party, holiday, or special event. (Birthday, Christmas, or celebrated occasion.) Exciting days that you can look towards, create a life less boring.

But there is one more conclusion. Do something nice for someone else! It could be big or small. Look outside yourself. Serving can get your endorphins pumping (because it feels so good,) thus your emotional state improves. Making someone elses day better, makes your own day better. Thus, it breaks the monotony and lets you survive another day. You aren’t expected to make a big production. Shopping is my therapy. (Yay, Amazon Prime!) But shopping for others needs can be even more fun. (If you can afford it!) Although, kindness doesn’t have to cost a dime. Make it a goal to compliment a complete stranger daily. (Easy peasy and such a warm fuzzy!)

Just do something nice today! (I guarantee it’s a boredom buster.)

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Before the stroke, I was a full-time working mom with six children. (Seven, with my husband! Sometimes they’re just like kids.) I did what I wanted, when I wanted. If I wanted to go shopping, I went shopping. I had my own money, and I spent the majority how I pleased. (I kept my family happy.) Although I was busy, I could go and do as I wished. I loved my checklists. They kept me on track. I could sleep, because all the details were on my list. There were always one or two projects on the horizon. (That’s how I preferred it.) I was the official party planner. I put together my daughter’s wedding almost single-handedly. I made great memes with photos for my father-in-laws birthday for 30 people just before. I was always asked to do people’s graphic design. I delighted in crafty things. Busy. (That’s an understatement!) I had all the control over my life.

Then I had the stroke. (What?) I lost all control. In the hospital, I had to have help moving my body. Every little thing, I needed assistance with. Time went very slow. (I learned to hate television!) I had a trach in, so I could not speak. People fed me, dressed me, showered me. I used sign language, that I had learned as a teenager (30 years ago!) to communicate, sadly not many were familiar with it. (24/7 charades) Day by day, I regained control of what was not paralyzed. (My dominant right side was affected.) I had to learn to use my left hand. If I wasn’t so independent before, this situation might have not have been so hard. (Well yes, it would be!) Three months in, my family got me an iPad to utilize my time. (It sits on an easel.) My first returning post on Facebook was met with shock and awe. I had about 300 comment and many more likes. It was difficult and time consuming to type at first. As the months went on, I improved on my left side and my alertness. I have happily had some improvement on my right side, got an electric wheelchair I drive myself, and had the trach removed all the while growing in patience and wisdom. I am still getting help with many things. I still live in a rehab home. I eat real food with my left hand. And I can stand, but not alone. My control in life is minimal. This sudden change in my life has been a huge adjustment. Sometimes I think I must be in a dream. I could be miserable constantly, but my family and I have a positive attitude. Hope and faith are high on our list of priorities. We will remodel our home this summer, so I can return home. The control has changed. But I know I can finish this grueling race. I have much confidence. My control is that I know for a fact that I will make it through successfully. (No doubt!)

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I am writing in response to the daily prompt by WordPress. They do it to get people writing. When I think of perfume, I am sent up to the mountains. The sweet perfume of the wildflowers across the meadows hearkens wonderful memories of days gone by. Nature unfolds it’s own variety of luscious scents. Especially in the spring, as the new random flowers emerge, we can enjoy the blooms as we can take in mother nature’s bounty. We can be as fresh and beautiful as these flowers. Turn your life in a new direction, and shake off the old ways and unwanted attitudes. Embrace a life of goodness and beauty. (You can do it!) The sweet life is waiting for you as much as you are waiting for it. Reach out for what gives you true joy, pluck it up and take in the sweet scents. (You deserve it!)